Yamaha Electone BK-20C Series User manual

Welcome to the Yamaha world of
music. We are sure your selection of
a Yamaha Electone was a wise one,
and we want you to know that we
will do everything possible to help
you derive a lifetime of enjoyment
from this fine musical instrument.
Please read this manual carefully to
be sure you are familiar with each of
the Electone’s features and their
expressive possibilities. In that way
you and your Electone can become
lifelong partners in musical creativity.
Contents
Read the following before
playing
This is the BK-20C
Keyboards
The Tone Levers, Preset Tones.. 4
Vibrato, Vibrato Speed, Brilliance,
Upper 8’, 4’ Sustain, Reverb, Upper
Percussive, Percussion, Attack Wah-
Wah, Repeat Speed, Glide, Pedal
Sustain
Tremolo/ Chorus, Manual Balance,
Expression Pedal, Master Volume . 6
Auto Rhythm Section
Auto Bass/Chord Fun Blocks ....
Bass Variation
To Fully Enjoy Your Electone . .
Electone is not out of order if ..
Specifications

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Read the following before playing
In general, treat your Electone with the same care you would any fine musical instrument. The follow-
ing points are suggested for optimum enjoyment.
1. Use only proper line voltage. Consult your 5. Shield the cabinet from direct sunlight, hu-
Yamaha serviceman for changes. midity and heat to protect the finish and
joints.
As to British-Standard Model, its information is in
‘Specifications’ on the last page.
6. Do not hit or scratch the cabinet with a hard
object.
N
O-
Sg
7. To open or close the fallboard grasp the front
lip with both hands and slide gentiy. Never
pull directly upwards. Do not place anything
3. Always shut off the power after playing. heavy on the fallboard.
4. Clean keys, etc, with a damp cloth only.
Never use solvents such as gasoline; they will
damage the finish.

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This is the BK-20C
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Vibrato Tone Lever C
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Bass Variations

While reading the manual, keep
this page open for reference.
o€) Master Volume
— Power Switch
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| A | Power Indicator
| | |
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Lower
Mani
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max.
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off
Reverb,
Upper
8°,
4’
Sustain
Control
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Rhythm
Foot
Switch
PAI
Foot
Switch
Selectors
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Specifications
subject
to
change
without
notice.

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Keyboards
This Electone has three keyboards. They have keys and octaves as follows:
Upper Keyboard 44 keys (3-2/3 octaves)
Lower Keyboard 44 keys (3-2/3 octaves)
Pedals 13 keys (1 octave)
This
Electone
is
designed
to
permit
playing
the
melody
on
the
upper
keyboard
with
the
right
hand,
the
chords
on
the
lower
keyboard
with
the
left
hand,
and
bass
note
on
the
pedals
with
the
left
foot.
All
keys
are
arranged
in
the
keyboard
method
layout
shown
below.
Each
white
key
has
a
name
(from
C
to B), and
the
blacks
are
sharps
or
flats.
UPPER KEYBOARD
MELODY
LOWER KEYBOARD
CHORD
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Leone” E
Note:
it should be noted that precedence is to the higher note if two more keys are
pressed simultaneously. This assures tonal clarify.

The Tone Levers
(full effect)
ey
Preset Tones
To the left of the upper and lower manuals are series of
tone levers which control the Electone voices that will
sound when the keys are depressed. They are divided
into groups for upper, lower and pedals, so that different
registrations can be set for each.
Upper Manual Levers 9 voices
Lower Manual Levers 5 voices
Pedal Levers 2 voices
Each lever provides two methods of control. One is by
continuously moving the lever from off to full, to achieve
the exact setting for that tone, and thus balancing the
overall tone setting with perfect precision. Each lever also
has two easy-to-feel click stops, at 1/3 and 2/3 positions.
This lets you refind any setting with mathematical pre-
cision and no guesswork in a matter of seconds,
PITCHES OR FOOTAGES
The BK-20C has four different pitch levels, indicated by
the numbers 16’, 8’, 4° and 233". These are standard musi-
cal abbreviations showing the tone’s pitch in relation to
the fundamental (written note). An 8’ tone will sound just
as it has been written. As the numbers increase, the tones
lower. A 16’ tone will provide a tone exactly one octave
lower than the written note.
Similarly, 4° tones are one octave higher than the written
note, 27s tones are one octave and a fifth higher than the
8' fundamental.
To the left of the lower manual are eight Upper Preset
Tone selectors (seven tones plus Cancel). These on/off
switches are special tonal blends that most closely re-
semble the instruments they name (Accordion, Piano,
Hawaiian Guitar, Banjo) as well as three special preset
combinations.
Since these buttons are factory preset, they automatically
cancel all other upper manual tone lever settings. This
lets you switch back and forth. In addition, precedence is
to the right. This means that if two or more buttons are
pressed, the one to the right will take effect. To switch
from one button to another it is not necessary to first
press the cancel button.
Note: Upper Sustain control lever does not work with the Accor-
dion, Piano, Hawaiian Guitar and Banjo preset selectors.
ORGAN PRESET ENSEMBLE
This lever controls the effect which adds the upper tone
lever to the upper preset tone. (Accordion, Piano, Hawaiian
Guitar, Banjo)

&
Vibrato, Vibrato Speed
Vibrato is a waving of the tone. You will see violin and cello players use it freely by an oscillating
motion of the left hand. That increases the emotional quality of the violin tone. This vibrato lever
produces the same vibrato effect. The Vibrato lever provides continuous adjustment of this effect’s
depth, while Vibrato Speed lets you continuously set the desired speed.
Brilliance
With this single, continuously-variable control you can pinpoint the degree of overall softness or clarity
desired for any mood of music.
Upper 8’ 4’ Sustain
When this is switched on, the sustain effect is evoked. As the name of the tab implies, only 8’ and 4’
tones are affected. The length of such sustain is set by the Upper Sustain control.
Note: When combined with Upper Percussive 4’, all sound is canceiled.
Reverb
The reverberation effect, which makes your playing sound full and rich as if you were playing in a large
hall, can be adjusted continuously and smoothly to suit your taste.
Upper Percussive
Changing the beginning of some or all notes can do wonders for lively selections. Your BK-20C’s per-
cussive effects provide subtle but important shading at the moment each note is heard. The special
popping 4’, 2%’ percussive drive can be smoothly blended into all upper manual tones with percussive
4’, 2%", and a percussive length lever regulates the length of decay for this effect.
With percussive, use a detached fingering. Each note should be played cleanly; slurred notes will
diminish the percussive impact.
Note: If Upper Percussive 4’ is set at the same time as Upper Sustain, no sound will be heard.
Percussion (LOWER BRUSH, PEDAL CYMBAL)
Provide lively brush (hissing snare drum brush) and cymbal percussion sounds with each lower manual
or pedal note.
Attack Wah-Wah
Provides a spicy wah-wah sound at the beginning of every upper manual tone.
Repeat Speed
Cuts and repeats each note just like the double-strumming effect of a mandolin. The lever provides
continuous speed adjustment to create a full variety of different moods. Affect upper manual notes
only.
Glide
While the foot switch is pushed when the Glide selector is on, tones will be lowered one half tone.
Pedal Sustain
This control provides continuous adjustment of the sustain effect on the pedals and allows the pedal note
to continue to sound a few seconds after you have released it.

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Tremolo/Chorus
The Electone’s special tremolo is produced by a rotary
[ae speaker that actually spins just behind the rotary speaker
SLOW, grille on the side of the cabinet.
The tremolo selector is complemented by a continuous
tremolo speed control knob.
When the speed control is set to its maximum position,
TREMOLO SPEED the Tremolo will turn the speaker at normal revolution.
The Chorus will turn it at one revolution. Once either
tablet is switched on, it takes several seconds for the rotary
speaker to attain the standard speed. This is also true
when switching to a slower speed (Tremolo to Chorus),
TREMOLO the speed variation will be heard in the music.
If you wish an instant tremolo or chorus sound, be sure to
siwtch on that tablet well in advance of the speaker selec-
jaune tor. For special selections you can use this speed variation
by switching the speaker on first, the Tremolo or Chorus
switch later.
Note: Only Tremolo is produced when Tremolo and Chorus are
CHORUS switched on simultaneously .
UPPER VOICE
Lets you divert upper manual voices from the main to the
rotary speaker.
LOWER VOICE
Does the same for lower manual voices.
FLUTE
SPLIT
FLUTE
SPLIT
This tablet feeds Flute voices of the upper and lower
- manuals and preset Combinations to the rotary speaker.
TREMOLO
Combined with other manual voices through the main
speaker it creates a rich, singing blend.
Note: Only Flute Split is produced when Flute Split and Upper or
Lower Voices are switched on simultaneously.
Manual Balance
This control governs the volume strength of the upper and lower manuals. It is normally left in the
center position, but can be shifted to stress the melody or accompaniment in a selection or passage.
This control can also be used to compensate for a higher number of total tone lever settings (which
would ordinarily result in higher volume) on one of the two manuals.
Expression Pedal
Affect the emotional mood of every passage by letting you vary the volume continuously with your right
foot. This works within the range set by the master volume control.
Master Volume
This is determines the maximum volume obtainable by depressing the expression pedal.

“@)
Auto Rhythm Section
This section provides eight catchy rhythms, each one pro-
duced by a simple button. You can also create more
rhythm variations with the variation button. In addition
to a combined volume and balance knob, tempo control
and tempo indicator light, there are two other switches:
ordinary Start and the Yamaha Synchro-Start which begins
the rhythm accompaniment on the first beat of a measure,
when the first lower manual or pedal note is struck. The
special expression pedal foot switch lets you stop and
restart the rhythm at any point during play.
NORMAL START
For instant rhythm at the beginning of a selection, push
the rhythm selector desired, then flick the Start switch on.
SYNCHRO-START
Select the rhythm, switch on the Synchro-Start and begin
to play once you have the beat established. The rhythm
will begin as soon as you strike a lower manual or pedal
note. This switch permits you to lead in with a rhythm-
free melody at first if so desired.
You can switch off the Auto Rhythm with the foot
switch. When you wish to continue hearing the Auto
Rhythm, be sure to switch on with the foot switch.
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